COLLINGWOOD’S Dale Thomas has continued his emergence as a midfielder with a polished display against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

He managed 24 quality possessions, hurting the Swans with a polished display on and off the ball.

Thomas said the Pies had a tough night, even though the Swans looked anything but up to Collingwood's standard.

"How much was it that we won by? I'm not sure ... about four goals was it? Well Sydney are one of those sides; you're never going to really blow them out of the water, they just keep coming at you."

Collingwood should have won by more than 25 points, but the Magpies failed to capitalise on their heavy dominance across the ground, and poor kicking for goal let them down.

Thomas though was unfazed.

"Obviously with the goal kicking it's not what we wanted, but one day we'll get it right and blow some team out of the water - it's just a matter of it all coming together," he said.

The Magpies’ ability to win the ball at the back and through the middle of the ground helped them to take control of the game, and Thomas was full of praise for the job Simon Prestigiacomo did on Adam Goodes.

"He was huge. I'm happy he plays for us because I certainly wouldn't want to be playing on him.

“He did the job on Goodes, and certainly when you limit him that can help you go a long way to beating the Swans."

Thomas was also pleased with the way his side attacked the footy.

"I thought it was an area where we did play well - to be first to the footy and to use our speed is something we have worked on for a while and to see it coming through like it has makes things look good for the future."